Page:Spiritualcombat.djvu/87

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72
OF THE GUARD OF THE OUTWARD SENSES

Thou Alone art the Infinite Principle of every created being."

In the same way, when you behold the trees, the plants, and things of that kind, you will perceive that their life does not flow from themselves, but from the Invisible Spirit, Which Alone gives them life. Then you can say—"Behold here the true Life, from Whom, in Whom, and through Whom all things live and grow! O living satisfaction of this heart of mine!"

So, when you see any of the brute creation, you will lift up your thoughts to God, Who gives them sensation and powers of movement, saying—"O Thou First Mover, Who, moving all things, art Thyself unmoved by any, how do I exult in Thy stability and firmness!"

And when you rejoice in the beauty of some creature, separate that which you see from the Spirit Which you do not see, and consider, that all which appears outwardly fair, springs only from the Invisible Spirit, from Whom this outward beauty has its source, and say with all delight—"Behold these rivulets from the uncreated Fountain! behold these are little drops from the boundless Ocean of all good! Oh, how do I rejoice from my inmost heart at the thought of that Eternal, Infinite Beauty, Which is the Origin and Cause of all created beauty."